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Master punctuation rules for the SAT including commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, apostrophes, and end punctuation in various sentence structures.
Learn step-by-step with practice exercises built right in.
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Which is correct? (A) "The experiment was successful, the results were conclusive." (B) "The experiment was successful; the results were conclusive."
Answer: (B)
(A) is a comma splice — two independent clauses joined by only a comma. This is ALWAYS wrong.
(B) uses a semicolon to correctly join two related independent clauses.
Four ways to fix a comma splice:
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Answer: (B) — the semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses.
SAT Rule: A semicolon works like a period — it connects two COMPLETE sentences that are closely related.
Add the correct punctuation: "The three primary colors red blue and yellow can be mixed to create secondary colors."
The sentence needs commas to set off a list and an appositive:
"The three primary colors**—red,** blue**,** and yellow**—**can be mixed to create secondary colors."
Or with commas: "The three primary colors**,** red**,** blue**,** and yellow**,** can be mixed to create secondary colors."
Explanation:
Answer: "The three primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—can be mixed to create secondary colors."
SAT Note: The SAT uses the Oxford comma (comma before "and" in a list).
Which is correct? (A) "The CEO who founded the company in 2005 announced her resignation." (B) "The CEO, who founded the company in 2005, announced her resignation."
It depends on context:
(A) No commas = restrictive clause → "who founded the company in 2005" identifies WHICH CEO (there must be multiple CEOs). The information is essential.
(B) With commas = nonrestrictive clause → "who founded the company in 2005" adds extra information about the ONLY CEO. The information could be removed.
On the SAT: If there is only ONE CEO (typical), the commas are correct because the clause is extra information.
Answer: Most likely (B) — the company typically has one CEO, so the clause is nonessential information.
Test: Try removing the clause. If the sentence still makes complete sense and identifies the right person, use commas (nonrestrictive). If you need the clause to know WHO is being discussed, no commas (restrictive).
Choose the correct punctuation: (A) "The study found three things: lower costs, higher quality, and improved access." (B) "The study found three things, lower costs, higher quality, and improved access." (C) "The study found three things; lower costs, higher quality, and improved access."
Answer: (A) — Use a COLON to introduce a list.
Why each option:
(A) Colon after "three things:" ✅
(B) Comma after "things," ❌
(C) Semicolon after "things;" ❌
Colon rules for SAT:
Fix all punctuation errors: "The author known for her vivid prose style, wrote three novels the last of which, won the Pulitzer Prize before she turned forty it was a remarkable achievement."
Identify the issues:
Corrected: "The author**,** known for her vivid prose style**,** wrote three novels**,** the last of which won the Pulitzer Prize before she turned forty**.** It was a remarkable achievement."
Or with a semicolon: "...before she turned forty**;** it was a remarkable achievement."
Or with a dash: "...before she turned forty**—**a remarkable achievement."
Changes made:
Answer: "The author, known for her vivid prose style, wrote three novels, the last of which won the Pulitzer Prize before she turned forty. It was a remarkable achievement."